1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Gen3 (2010) recommendation for new head unit in 2021

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by re08, Jan 20, 2021.

  1. re08

    re08 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2021
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three Touring
    It's 2021. And my 2010 Prius is going strong. With covid making me stir crazy at home I've spent more time in the car lately just to get away from barking dogs at home, and I'm thinking how I can make it more productive.

    I've never used the navigation unit much because Android made it obsolete overnight. More often than not it's just a ledge I can sit my phone on. It's been years since I used the cd player for anything more than creating a ledge to sit things on when the screen folds down.

    So I'm thinking about pulling out the factory JBL head unit and replacing it with some aftermarket Android Auto Android 10 or later that will be wirelessly compatible with my Pixel 4a phone.

    And I'm going to be greedy on the features i want from it:
    • I want to be able to view the backup cam on demand (and still auto-activate it when putting transmission in R)
    • I want it to utilize my existing (stock) camera, steering wheel controls, tpms, and antennas. MAYBE a new backup camera if it's higher def and uses the existing wiring, not wireless.
    • I want ALL features to function when in any mode of driving? No safety nanny lockouts.
    • I want it to accept a SIM card and use my 4g/5g to provide a Wi-Fi hotspot to my passengers.
    • I want it to accept a microSD card for additional storage, and be able of running any android app, so my podcast app can always be up to date and have local copies ready to play.
    • I'd like it to be able to display the numerical readout of tire pressure from the existing tpms system. if this requires any additional connectors or adapters how much do those costs and where may I purchase them?
    • I'd like to be able to pair with with multiple bluetooth devices for music?
    • I'd like if it had a driver-facing camera, so I could engage in video calls without using my mobile handset. Again safety nannies not welcome. I spend more time in my car these days parked than driving anyway.
    • Adding a front and two side cameras for dash-cam capability would be nice. But I'm only interested in it if there is some sort of secure boot encrypted storage mechanism that lets me have absolute control over the contents, like a properly encrypted laptop. I don't want something that could be used against me in an accident someday.
    • Android 10 is important to me, or the latest version if 11's out yet for Auto. I know whatever I buy will get out of date before I know it and I want to head that off as much as I can even if it costs more.
    • No 'floating screens'. It needs to come with a bezel that fits the dash.
    • Would be cool if it could run torquePro and included a bidirectional odb2 transceiver.

    I've looked on ebay and there's about 500 options it feels like, and all the listings look a little dubious in different ways.

    So I'm hoping someone here can share a positive experience you've had swapping out your JBL for an aftermarket unit, and point me in the right direction.
     
  2. jimlyons

    jimlyons Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2007
    30
    4
    4
    Location:
    East Stroudsburg
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hey - same here! Except I have an iPhone, so everything he said but for iOS. I had a detaling done recently, bought the wheel covers from Toyota, got a new set of Goodyear all season. I think I'm good for another 200K. B-)
     
  3. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2013
    1,361
    1,635
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    Pioneer or Kenwood
     
  4. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2013
    1,361
    1,635
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX

    or

    Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX

    or


    Kenwood Excelon Reference DNR1007XR

    According to Crutchfield, these are excellent units for the Prius.

    FD362E2E-1999-4DC8-BDE6-560A8D9FCCEC.png 95B38205-9949-4209-AA10-41728888FCE2.png
    Paired with these accesories. Supposedly everything is functional even after this upgrade from stock.

    Verify with Crutchfield.

    My 2 cents.
     
    Cd=.25, Steph1972 and jimlyons like this.
  5. jimlyons

    jimlyons Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2007
    30
    4
    4
    Location:
    East Stroudsburg
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Thanks. I may tackle this when the the weather gets warmer. Or else have a local shop do the upgrade for me. Not the biggest fan of DIY when it comes to cars. B-)
     
    Xterra72 likes this.
  6. toodlepip

    toodlepip Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2019
    6
    3
    0
    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I know this is an old thread, but I'm looking to upgrade the head unit in my Gen 3. Does this mean you lose access to the hidden maintenance menus?
     
  7. abubin

    abubin Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2019
    179
    89
    0
    Location:
    Malaysia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yes, you will lose those.
     
  8. abubin

    abubin Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2019
    179
    89
    0
    Location:
    Malaysia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
  9. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    278
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
  10. abubin

    abubin Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2019
    179
    89
    0
    Location:
    Malaysia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    upload_2021-7-28_21-44-48.png